Storyhouse announce ‘biggest ever’ summer programme

Storyhouse have announced their ‘biggest ever’ summer programme with over 200 events taking place following the UK Government’s lockdown roadmap.

Outdoor cinemas and theatres in England will be allowed to operate from 17 May, meaning Storyhouse are planning to open their Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre as early as 22 May.

Their Moonlight Flicks open air cinema will also run from May half term at Chester Cathedral’s Dean’s Field, along with other flagship venues in the region such as Wirral’s Claremont Farm.  

Andrew Bentley, Storyhouse’s CEO said: “Spring is finally here and looking back we’ve had about as good a year as we could manage. The difference has been the incredible help from our community, including over 5,000 who have joined as members and as regular donors.  

“We’ve raised over £2.5m in this last year to keep us afloat. This support is still crucial to our survival and we are so thankful. We brought some joy at Christmas and now we are about to embark on our longest summer ever.”

Alex Clifton, Storyhouse’s Artistic Director, added: “We’re launching a summer of festivity, joy and healing – together in the sunshine – a real summer of love. We’re planning a barn-raising, together-again party with the roof off.

“Plays and movies and family activities: all of us together in the city’s parks and open spaces, loving our city, and reconnecting with each other, in the summer sunshine.”

Storyhouse was busy last year during lockdown, staging a series of drive-in cinema screenings and open-air cinema at venues across the region.

Its version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ ran for four weeks and reached audiences in 14 countries and four continents online. 

More details are to follow in the coming weeks, with tickets on sale to members first and existing bookers for the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre contacted as soon as dates are announced. 

Membership for Storyhouse is £4 a month, which can be cancelled at any time – find out more at storyhouse.com.